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Blue Earth takes aim at jake braking

BLUE EARTH — Truckers driving through Blue Earth, especially on Highway 169, will have to curtail their use of “jake braking” in the future.

The Blue Earth City Council passed a resolution at its meeting Monday that puts into motion a request to the Minnesota Department of Transportation to install “Vehicle Noise Laws Enforced” signs on the north and south entrances to the city on Highway 169.

Those signs are meant to warn drivers that they can — and will — be ticketed for excessive vehicle noise, including so-called “jake braking.”

Two Blue Earth residents who live near the middle roundabout on Highway 169 in the city were present to complain about the excessive noise from this trucker method of slowing their vehicles.

Blue Earth Police Chief Tom Fletcher also was present to discuss the issue, especially enforcement of the law.

“The signs would be necessary for the State Patrol, and probably the sheriff too, to issue tickets,” Fletcher said. “And for us, as well.”

The price tag to the city is not cheap, however. MnDOT will charge Blue Earth almost $1,000 per sign for installing them.

“If we also want them on the east and west entrances into town, on Highway 16, we would be dealing with the county,” Fletcher said. “And those I would bet, would be less costly.”

The council discussed several options for locations for the signs, but in the end decided to request MnDOT put them between I-90 and the first roundabout on the north side of the city, and between the “Welcome to Blue Earth” sign and city limits on the south side.

In other business, the council:

o Heard the 2018 city audit report, then voted to accept it.

o Had the first reading of two proposed ordinances, one to enact the city sales tax, the other to make additions to an ordinance concerning citizens responsibilities for maintenance of boulevards.

o Discussed some issues with damage to restrooms and excessive garbage left at the ballfields after a recent tournament. Both the council and the parks and rec committee will continue to address the issue.

o Decided that its next work session before the July 15 meeting will be a tour of the completed construction project at the wastewater treatment plant.

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